Bishop Prowse was officially installed in the position and welcomed to the Gippsland region during a ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral, Sale, which was attended by about 1,300 parishoners, clergy and local dignitaries.

Having most recently been based in Melbourne's western suburbs, Bishop Prowse said he was looking forward to learning more about the Gippsland region.

"I know some things about Gippsland, I used to come as a child for holidays in the area, but the real Gippsland I'm still to meet."

"I'm expecting to hear from people all sorts of challenges that they might have with the drought, with bushfires, with the economic recession."

Bishop Prowse replaces Bishop Jeremiah Coffey, who stepped down in January last year, after reaching retirement age.